Carbon Market shooting suspect claims revenge as motive

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 30-year-old man accused of fatally shooting another man inside Carbon Market in Cebu City claimed revenge was his motive, saying he had harbored resentment after the victim had allegedly shot him about a month earlier.

The suspect, identified only by the alias “Robert,” made the admission during an interview following his arrest in a hot pursuit operation early Wednesday, July 29.

Carbon Police Station of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) arrested the suspect around 12:30 a.m. in Sitio Kawayanan, Barangay Poblacion Pardo, two days after the fatal shooting on the second floor of Unit III, Carbon Market in Barangay Ermita.

Revenge as motive

During the interview, alias Robert claimed he shot the victim because the latter had allegedly shot him about a month earlier.

He said he sustained a gunshot wound to his lower back during the earlier incident but admitted he never reported it to the police because he intended to exact revenge himself.

He further admitted harboring resentment against the victim following the incident.

“Buwan kapin na ang nilabay. Mao to pagkahitabo ana, nagtanom kog kalagot niya, nagdumot ko, mao to ako siyang gipangandaman,” he said.

(Around a month had passed since that happened. At that time, I started harboring resentment toward him, I felt deep bitterness, and that’s why I prepared myself to [kill him].)

The victim was identified by police as a 30-year-old resident of Sitio Capaculan, Barangay Tisa, Cebu City.

Suspect narrates Carbon Market shooting

Alias Robert claimed that he and the victim met again on Monday, July 27, when the latter allegedly invited him to use illegal drugs.

According to the suspect, they used the illegal substance together before the victim temporarily left, telling him he would return.

He claimed he believed the victim intended to retrieve a firearm because of their previous encounter, prompting him to arm himself while waiting.

According to alias Robert, when the victim returned, he allegedly attempted to draw a firearm.

“Mao to pag-aksyon niya’g lingkod, niaksyon man siya’g bunot. Ako nalang sad siyang giunhan sad. Mao to kausa ra ka higayon gyud,” he said.

(When he sat down, he made to move as if to pull his firearm. So I just beat him to the draw. That’s what happened instantly.)

The suspect also claimed the victim had previously been involved in shooting incidents involving other people, although he did not provide evidence to support the allegation.

Apology to victim’s family

During the interview, alias Robert apologized to the victim’s family, saying he regretted what had happened.

“Sa natungdan diay sa akong nabuhat, pasayloa lang ko ninyo kay wa ko nakapugong sa akoang kalagot ba, sa kasuko. Mao’ng nabuhat to nako,” he said.

(To those who are affected by my actions, please forgive me, because I could no longer hold my anger. That’s why I have done it.)

Asked whether he regretted the shooting, the suspect replied that he did.

He also said he fled after the incident but claimed he had intended to surrender before police arrested him.

Firearm used in Carbon Market shooting recovered

According to a report from the Carbon Police Station, the hot pursuit operation also led to the recovery of a .38-caliber revolver without a serial number, believed to have been used in the crime.

In addition, police recovered two live rounds of .38-caliber ammunition and one fired .38-caliber cartridge from the firearm’s cylinder.

The recovered firearm and ammunition will form part of the evidence in the murder case that police are preparing to file against the suspect.

As of Thursday, July 30, the suspect remains detained at Carbon Police Station while documents are being prepared for the filing of a murder case.

Police are also continuing their investigation to confirm the suspect’s statements.

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